Entertainment Law: What the Heck is That? | Entertainment Law

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Mar 25, 2015

Entertainment Law: What the Heck is That? | Entertainment Law

Posted By
Weaver Law, PLLC

In my last blog post, I announced my plan to enter the field of entertainment
law. What, exactly, is “entertainment law”?

Most people think that lawyers engaged in entertainment law spend their
time representing actors, composers, producers, directors, authors, musicians,
and professional sport stars. And that’s true – some entertainment
lawyers do represent these high-profile types. But entertainment law is
much broader than that.

There is no separate “entertainment law” practice field. Rather,
the practice of entertainment law involves the delivery of a wide range
of legal services to support and further creative endeavors. Examples
include copyrights, trademarks, securities, and contracts.

Consider the behind the scenes logistics of any entertainment production.
Let’s take movies as an example. In addition to the “creative”
talent – writers, directors, cinematographers, editors, etc. –
movies involve sets, locations, permits, crew, and money. Contracts are
required for each step of every production – sometimes including
arranging and paying for space for the cast and crew to park. Depending
on a variety of factors, multiple unions may be involved.

Raising money to make movies, especially independent films, can be a complex
process. Federal securities laws must be followed, depending on the type
of funding being sought (remember what happened in the 1968 movie or the
2005 remake, The Producers?). Also, the location causes its own legal
and tax issues. Like any other occupation, people working on a movie on
location must consider and handle the tax consequences of working in any
state with state income tax.

Any entertainment production requires a large amount of legal work and
is fraught with potential disputes. I find the possibilities exciting.
In my next post, I will cover the basics of copyright law and how it may
apply to you.